SHAKOPEE, MN

You can forget the adjectives to describe Minnesota Asphalt Oval Series points leader Josh Koch (68, above) and just give him the respect he has earned. From his days on a PW50 to being a National number holder in just 15 years, this 22-year-old has learned how to win.

Host venue Raceway Park adhered to the adage that the show must go on! Due to the threat of rain and scheduled graduations, the fans in the less-than-packed stands were thrilled by the action at this top-notch Friday night event.

The heat race started with Tousley Motorsports/No Fear/Vortex-backed rider Dan Jacobson getting the holeshot and leading the pack. Koch, on the SOS Honda, got off to a slow start but picked up the pace. With a slick-looking high-low move on the exit of turn two, Koch moved back Jacobson to second place down the back straight. Close behind, Stud Club's Curtis Wise, a motocrosser who's new to this form of racing, showed he has more to say about who is going to win on this wicked-fast quarter-mile oval: Wise was closing on the leaders. However, they finished in that order.

The start of the main event looked like a replay of the heat, with Dan Jacobson the first into turn one. Koch was waiting for an opening. Just before the midway flags, Koch slipped under Jacobson to take the top spot. Wise closed on Jacobson, and when Jacobson slipped up, Wise drove on past.

The laps were winding down, but Wise's charge to the front wasn't over. With a lap and a half to go, Wise found more speed and almost ran into the back of Koch in turn two. Jacobson and MW Construction-sponsored Mike Wilson (31, below) tightened up on the two front-runners coming to the checkers. This was the closest of margins between the top four in the series so far this year.

"I can't believe how much speed I found in those corners!" Wise about his race. "Man, I love this Asphalt Racing!"

The next Minnesota Asphalt Oval Series event will be held on June 25 at Raceway Park in Shakopee, Minnesota. For more information, go to www.goracewaypark.com/ or flattrackmn.com or call 701/799-8419.

Results

HEAT: 1. Josh Koch (Honda); 2. Dan Jacobson (Honda); 3. Curtis Wise (Yamaha); 4. Mike Wilson (Honda).

MAIN: 1. Josh Koch (Honda); 2. Curtis Wise (Yamaha); 3. Dan Jacobson (Honda); 4. Mike Wilson (Honda).